Finding Healing Through Land-Based Connection
- Stillness in Storms
- Jan 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 16
Introduction
Healing is a journey that often calls us back to the places where we feel most whole. Land-based healing is rooted in the belief that the natural world can ground us, guide us, and help us restore balance in body, mind, and spirit. It’s a practice that acknowledges the universal human need to reconnect with nature, especially in moments of emotional, mental, and spiritual distress.
For me, land-based healing isn’t just a concept—it’s a lived experience. The land that held me through my childhood became a sanctuary of safety, growth, and magic.
In this post, I’ll explore what land-based healing is, why it matters, and how to cultivate your own connection to the land, whether you have access to vast open spaces or live in an urban environment.
What is Land-Based Healing?
Land-based healing is the practice of engaging with nature as an integral part of emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Rooted in Indigenous teachings and traditional practices, it acknowledges land as a living relative and teacher.
This approach incorporates holistic healing that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, encouraging deep reverence and a reciprocal relationship with the natural world. It’s more than "spending time in nature"—it’s about cultivating an understanding that we are a part of the land and that the land, in turn, takes care of us.
Key Components of Land-Based Healing
Connection to Land:
Recognizing the land as a relative, healer, and teacher.
Ceremonial Practices:
Examples include storytelling, plant gathering, and creating rituals of gratitude.
Reciprocity:
Acknowledging that healing is a relationship and offering care back to the land, whether through stewardship or simple acts of gratitude.
The Benefits of Land-Based Healing
Emotional Grounding:
Nature provides a sense of stability during times of stress.
Mental Clarity:
Time in natural environments has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of overwhelm.
Physical Health:
Increased physical activity, even gentle movement like walking in a park, can support overall wellness.
Spiritual Connection:
For those reclaiming their cultural roots, land-based healing fosters a deepened sense of belonging and ancestral connection.
Urban Land-Based Healing: Connecting to Nature in
the City
Not everyone has access to rural spaces or wilderness, but you can still engage with nature in an urban environment by:
Visiting local green spaces like parks, community gardens, or nature trails.
Creating a windowsill or balcony garden for small plants.
Participating in urban ecotherapy groups or mindfulness walks.
Observing the natural world around you—cloud patterns, birdsong, or the way the sun sets between city buildings.
My Connection to Land-Based Healing
I grew up on my great-great uncle's allotment, a place that felt sacred in every sense of the word. It wasn’t just land—it was my sanctuary. I found my balance there, literally and figuratively. One tree in particular, a towering sycamore, felt like a guardian. I remember talking to her, climbing her huge branches, and swinging on a seat my mother made for us. She held my weight, my dreams, and sometimes, my grief.
I would disappear for hours into the woods next to our trailer, catching tadpoles in the creek and following horse trails that twisted like stories waiting to be told. Acorn tops became fairy hats, and I talked to the plants and the woods as if they were family. And they were. I felt safe there—protected by something ancient and alive.
The last time I visited that tree was after my family lost the land. I took a picture to remember her forever.
Even now, when I think about that land, my heart aches with a sense of loss. It wasn’t just a physical place; it was a presence that nurtured and healed me when nothing else could. I’ve come to understand that the land didn’t just sustain my body—it cradled my spirit.
One day, when my time here is done, I know my soul will return there, no matter where I am physically. That land took care of me, and in many ways, it still does.
How to Begin Your Land-Based Healing Journey
Observe Nature’s Rhythms:
Notice the changes in light, seasons, and weather patterns.
Create a Regular Practice:
Dedicate time to sitting quietly outside, tending to plants, or walking mindfully.
Journal Your Experiences:
Reflect on the sounds, scents, and sensations you encounter in nature.
Offer Gratitude:
A simple ritual, like leaving an offering or silently thanking the land, can deepen your connection.
Cultural and Community Impact of Land-Based Healing
Land-based healing can restore a sense of cultural pride and belonging, especially for Indigenous communities reclaiming ancestral traditions. Community programs that use land-based practices often foster resilience and healing, addressing trauma through connection to land and cultural teachings.
Challenges and Considerations
Access to Nature: Lack of safe green spaces can limit engagement. Advocating for environmental justice helps ensure equitable access to healing spaces.
Environmental Stewardship: Healing relationships with the land also involve taking care of it, whether through conservation or advocacy.
Further Reading and Resources on Land-Based Healing
Articles and Blogs:
"Ecotherapy and the Healing Power of Nature" An overview of ecotherapy practices and their mental health benefits, including practical tips for incorporating nature into daily life.
"The Healing Power of Nature" An exploration of how nature exposure can improve mental health, with insights into various ecotherapy techniques.
Books and Guides:
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer A profound collection of essays that interweave Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature. ( digital | physical | audio )
"Nature’s Best Hope" by Douglas W. Tallamy A guide advocating for home-based conservation and how individuals can contribute to environmental restoration, fostering a deeper connection to the land. ( digital | physical | audio )
Organizations and Programs:
First Nations Health Authority – Land-Based Healing Provides insights into land-based treatment and healing initiatives, emphasizing cultural and traditional practices. (PDF)
Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides Offers resources and guidance on forest therapy, promoting healing and wellness through nature connection.
Conclusion
Land-based healing reminds us that we are part of something greater—that the land holds us, teaches us, and offers us solace. Reconnecting with the land is an act of healing not only for ourselves but for future generations.
You don’t have to start with grand gestures. Begin small: a walk on the beach or through a park, a quiet moment in the sun, or a whispered "thank you" to the earth beneath your feet.
Your journey may lead you to places that feel like home—spaces where your soul finds balance, comfort, and belonging.
Ready to get started?
Download my FREE land-based healing journal to support your journey with reflective prompts and practical exercises. Let the land remind you of your strength, your roots, and your place in the world.
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